I love this time of year for many reasons — the holiday fun, the twinkle of lights on our Christmas tree, the cookies — but I think my favorite thing about the season is the reflection that it can (should!) bring about. Whether you make a resolution or not, it’s inevitable that as we barrel towards a new year, we all start to think about the last one and look ahead at what’s to come.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about my “theme” for 2017. Let me explain. In December of last year, on a whim, I bought this felt-tipped brush pen and was playing around with it in my office. I happened to write the word “forward” on a piece of card stock, and something compelled me to pin it up on an inspiration board. It stayed up all year. I couldn’t have anticipated it last December, but in so many bizarre and life changing ways, 2016 was indeed a year of moving forward. In fact, I can’t think of a word that better encapsulates the changes and adventures (to put it mildly) of the past year.

I liked the idea of having a word for the year, no matter that I stumbled upon it un- (scratch that!) subconsciously. So I’ve been contemplating what 2017 will be about. The word I keep coming back to is “focus.” I’m working on integrating focus into my work, my personal mindset, and even how I treat myself. Here’s how (do any of these ring true for you?): View more

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I can’t believe this is the last playlist of the year. It really does feel like I JUST made last December’s playlist. What?!

This month’s playlist has a few more mellow/easy listening jams, easy to put on while you’re baking cookies or decorating the house and you’re totally sick of Christmas carols (full confession: this happens to me after about an hour of carols!). I also included an old favorite, Imogen Heap’s “Just for Now.” The Speak for Yourself album will always remind me of graduating college and moving to SF (I even remember it playing while we moved into our first SF apartment in the summer of ’06). This is so random, but literally just last week I finally realized this song was about the holidays. Can you believe it took me over a decade to figure it out? Have a listen to the lyrics and it’s kind of the perfect holiday song. It’s that time of year, leave all our hopelessnesses aside.

I’ve included a few different Odesza songs on playlists over the last year and a half, but I this month I wanted to include probably my favorite song off the In Return album (which I listened to wayyy too much this year — it’s perfect work background music). It feels optimistic, and it always lifts me up.

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Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! I’m popping in to share some of my favorite sales from the weekend. Beyond the obvious players, Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend is the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts from smaller, up and coming businesses, so lots of my fave small shops are in the bottom half of this post. Ok, shop away! I’m definitely stocking up on a couple blue and white pieces from High Street Market (20% off!), and some new flats from Shopbop. Happy shopping, and see you guys back here next week!

The Deal: 30% off your purchaseThe Code: LETSGOMy Picks: I think we can agree Anthro has some of the best gifts for home. You can’t go wrong with their candles, and if you need a gift for yourself, peep their Boot Shop!

The Deal: 15% off $150, 20% off $300, or 25% off $500+ (on full priced items)The Code: JUSTSAYYESMy Picks: Pajamas from Eberjey, and bras from Natori. Blanket statements yes, but good stuff all therein!

My Favorite Places to Shop Small

What they do: One-of-a-kind vintage jewelry, for pieces that can last a lifetime (but at a great price point!)The Deal: 20% off site wideThe Code: TAKE20My Picks: The great selection of pendant necklaces, and gorgeous statement earrings for holiday parties.

What they do: Gorgeous custom pillows!The Deal: 15% off sitewideThe Code: HOLIDAY16My Picks: How do you choose? All of Arianna’s fabrics are beautiful! But I’d maybe spring for custom piping on my pillows…

What they do: Custom artwork, and canvas and paper prints for your home! (Fun fact: owner Patricia is Arianna’s sister!)The Deal: 20% off everythingThe Code: ARTWKND20My Picks: This weekend is the only time of year Parima Studio offers a sale, so stock up on prints for your gallery wall!

What they do: One of my favorite resources for home, HSM features vintage and new products that are the epitome of “new traditional.”The Deal: 20% off everythingThe Code: FAMILYMy Picks: Anything from Kelly’s beautiful collection of blue and white ceramics, and her unique, interesting vintage home decor objects.

What they do: Delicious food boxes with products sourced directly from artisans in France. The founders are friends of mine, and have done an amazing job in finding the best stuff for the boxes!The Deal: 30% off site wide.The Code: None needed!My Picks: I absolutely love the Provence box. The artichoke pesto is killer!